One of the critical responsibilities of Program Management Professional (PgMP) is to monitor key human resources, including subcontractors for the program and project roles. This process involves identifying opportunities to improve team motivation through various means like compensation, incentives, career alignment plans and concludes with negotiation of contracts to meet and/or exceed benefits realization objectives.
Outlining the Concepts
Monitoring Key Human Resources
Monitoring key human resources in program management refers to the process of supervising and managing the individuals and teams involved in executing a program or project. This could include program managers, project team members, stakeholders, and even subcontractors.
Monitoring these resources involves:
- Assessing performance
- Identifying areas for improvement
- Ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives
- Managing conflicts
- Handling communication among team members.
The PgMP certificate holders often utilize project management tools, techniques, and methodologies to facilitate this monitoring process.
Motivating the Team
Program managers know that motivation is a critical factor that directly impacts the team’s performance and productivity. One of the most effective ways to motivate a team is by designing and implementing an effective compensation and incentive system. This might encompass competitive salaries, performance bonuses, recognition awards, promotion opportunities, and so on.
Aligning Personal Career Goals with Project Goals
Another antidote to employee demotivation is to integrate employees’ personal career goals with the overall goals of the project. When employees understand that their success is tied to the project’s success, they are more likely to put in maximum effort and produce high-quality work.
Contract Negotiation
Contract negotiation can be one of the most daunting tasks in program management. Yet, it is an essential skill for PgMP professionals since it can set the stage for a successful project or contribute to its failure. The key to successful negotiation is to ensure that the terms of the contract are beneficial to both parties involved.
For Example:
Let’s presume that as a PgMP holder, you are managing a software development program for a client – Big Corp. You have several key resources and a team of subcontractors at your disposal.
To monitor your resources, you might use project management software to keep track of everyone’s tasks, deadlines, and performance. Periodically, you might conduct team meetings to identify any issues the team might be struggling with and to update them about the project’s progress.
To keep your team motivated, you might implement a bonus system for outstanding performance, or provide some sort of recognition for those who make significant contributions to the project.
To align personal career goals of your team members with the project goals, you could offer opportunities for skill development and advancement – for instance, allowing a junior developer to work on a challenging task or offering internship/co-op positions to college students.
Negotiating contracts may involve some challenging conversations with Big Corp. Maybe they’re demanding a scope increase without extending the deadlines, or they want to pay less than the agreed contract. You would need to engage your negotiation skills to arrive at a compromise that won’t harm your team’s interests while still meeting the client’s demands.
Conclusion
One of the crucial aspects of project management, which PgMP emphasizes, is that it’s not just about meeting deadlines and staying within budget. It is as much about people – appropriately managing, motivating, and aligning them to the program goals. In essence, the success of a program primarily depends on how proficiently the program manager can handle ‘people’ aspects of the project, in addition to the technical and strategic facets.
Practice Test
True/False: It is essential to monitor key human resources for program and project roles.
- Answer: True.
Explanation: Monitoring key human resources allows for identification of potential issues early on and provides opportunities for improvement of team motivation.
True/False: Compensation, incentive, and career alignment plans do not have any impact on team motivation.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: These factors play a critical role in motivating the team and ultimately contributing to the success of the project.
What is one of the ways to meet and/or exceed benefits realization objectives?
- a. Neglecting contracts
- b. Neglecting key human resources
- c. Developing compensation and incentive plans
- d. Ignoring subcontractors
Answer: c. Developing compensation and incentive plans.
Explanation: Developing compensation and incentive plans motivate team members and thus helps in achieving the project objectives.
True/False: Subcontractors do not play a role in program and project roles.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Subcontractors can play a significant role in helping to achieve project goals and should be effectively managed.
Who are the human resources that are important for program and project roles?
- a. Subcontractors
- b. Program Manager
- c. Project Team
- d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above.
Explanation: All these role holders play vital roles in any program or project and hence need to be monitored.
True/False: Negotiating contracts is not necessary for meeting benefits realization objectives.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Effective contract negotiation can help drive benefits realization by ensuring the right terms and conditions are in place for the project.
Which of the following is one of the opportunities to improve team motivation?
- a. Developing compensation plans
- b. Ignoring team feedback
- c. Neglecting project object
Answer: a. Developing compensation plans.
Explanation: Compensation plans are designed to reward employees for their work and can have a significant impact on their motivation levels.
True/False: Ignoring the role of human resources in program and project roles would not affect the project.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Human resources play a vital role in a project and their neglect could jeopardize the success of the project.
What role does career alignment plans play in program and project roles?
- a. Ensuring team motivation
- b. De-motivating the team
- c. No substantial role
Answer: a. Ensuring team motivation.
Explanation: Career alignment plans can provide team members with a path for progression, which can motivate them to work towards the success of the project.
True/False: Contract negotiation primarily involves focusing on monetary aspects only.
- Answer: False.
Explanation: Contract negotiation involves several aspects like scope, quality, deadlines in addition to cost which collectively helps in benefits realization.
Interview Questions
What is the primary objective of monitoring key human resources for program and project roles?
The primary objective is to ensure that each role is filled with the most capable individual and that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.
How can subcontractors be effectively monitored as human resources within a project?
Subcontractors can be effectively monitored by keeping track of their deliverables, efficiency, cost of operations, and level of satisfaction from the main contracting firm.
What can be done to improve team motivation with regards to human resources management in a project?
Developing compensation plans, incentive programs, and career alignment plans can be implemented to enhance team motivation.
How does developing compensation, incentive, and career alignment plans contribute to team motivation?
They provide team members with a tangible reward for their effort and effectiveness and give them a solid, achievable career path, thereby motivating them to improve their performance.
Why is it essential to negotiate contracts when monitoring human resources?
Contract negotiation is essential to reach an agreement that is beneficial for both the program/project and the resource, in terms of cost, time, deliverables and scope of work.
What role does benefits realization play in program management?
Benefits realization is a measure of the actual benefits achieved from delivering a program. It helps in determining whether or not the program objectives are being met, and thus, indicates the success of the program.
How can contract negotiation contribute to benefits realization objectives?
Through contract negotiation, the program manager can align the terms and conditions of the contract to ensure that they facilitate the realization of the intended benefits from the project.
How can opportunity identification aid in improving team motivation?
Identifying opportunities allows for uncovering potential areas for growth and advancement, which can invigorate team members and inspire them to increase their productivity and commitment to the project.
Can monitoring key human resources be linked to risk management in program management?
Yes, monitoring key human resources helps identify potential risks related to staff productivity, capabilities, and availability, among others.
What methods might be effective in monitoring subcontractors?
Regular status updates, project management software, regular performance reviews, and maintaining open lines of communication can all be effective methods for monitoring subcontractors.
How should conflicts with subcontractors be resolved as part of the human resources monitoring process?
Conflicts can be resolved via negotiation, adjusting contract terms, providing motivation or incentives, or finding a substitution when necessary.
How does effective contract negotiation aid in achieving program objectives?
Through effective contract negotiation, program managers can set expectations, establish clear deliverables and timetables, ensure resource availability and condition, and minimize risks, which are essential for achieving program objectives.
What could be the impact if human resources are not monitored effectively?
If human resources are not monitored effectively, productivity can decline, morale can fall, delays can occur, and costs can increase, which may lead to failure in achieving program objectives.
How can a program manager effectively negotiate contracts with subcontractors?
An effective program manager needs to be clear about what is required from the subcontractor, understanding market rates, communicating effectively and efficiently, remaining flexible, and ensuring all agreements are in writing.
Can the absence of incentive and career alignment plans affect benefits realization objectives?
Yes, the absence of incentive and career alignment plans can lead to decreased motivation among team members, potentially resulting in lowered productivity and hindered performance, which could adversely affect benefits realization objectives.
extutorials.com